E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSWASHINGTON -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Friday urged Washington lawmakers to speak honestly with the American people, warning the public may not like the solutions necessary to fix the country's economic woes, but "they know in their heart they have to accept it."
"Don't tell me the American people aren't ready to hear the truth. They know our government is out of control," Christie said at the CATO Institute's Milton Friedman Awards dinner. "They know our debt and our deficit is out of control. And don't confuse them liking the solution to them accepting it. They don't have to like it, but they know in their heart they have to accept it."
The Garden State governor has found himself in the midst of speculation that he could be a top contender to be chosen as presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney's running mate. Since endorsing Romney in the fall, he has been one of the former Massachusetts governor's top surrogates, and his speech here to the conservative think tank sounded like a politician on the national stage.
Christie said his leadership in New Jersey should be an example for the country, telling the story of how his state is battling back from some of the bleakest of economic times. He used an executive order to overcome the $2.2 billion budget shortfall he faced shortly after taking office in 2010.
The tough talking governor recalled for the crowd his options in overcoming the deficit. "I could sit down and negotiate with the Democratic leadership and the Democratically controlled legislature to try to come to an agreement on these cuts, or, thanks to New Jersey's unique Constitutional structure, cut spending through executive order," he said.
"Now, for those of you who watched me over the past two and a half years, if you believe I chose the former, then it is now time for you to leave. You are note smart enough to be here at the Milton Friedman Dinner."
The popular conservative, who mulled over his own presidential run, is often talked about in vice-presidential speculation because of his ability to excite the party base and record as a cost cutter in his home state. But he also is a lightening rod who could alienating independent voters with his in your face approach to politics.
"The great thing about operating by executive order is, first, that I didn't have to tell anybody," Christie said.
Christie has at times been a polarizing figure in New Jersey, but he maintains his way of doing business is something the federal government can learn from.
"Leaders have an obligation to make those tough choices. In New Jersey that is what we're trying to do. And in the process hopefully set an example for the rest of the country," he said.
"Believe me, if you can do this in New Jersey, you can do it anywhere."
Leave a Comment:
He's correct, government is out of control and it's the Republican leadership, his party that caused it. Look no further than Mitch McConnell, John Bonner, Eric Cantor and the Republican controlled House of Representatives.
Remember what McConnell said at the start of the Obama Presidency, and I quote "My number one goal is to see his Presidency fail, to make him a one term President" He didn't say that his job and or his party's goal was to get the country back on track, to get us out of the worst economic collapse since the great depression, the collapse his party caused. He said his goal was to destroy President Obama the rest of the country be damned let them suffer if that's what it takes to bring the President down.
Governor Christie need look no further than his own party to find the source of the problem.
There is a name for people who rule by 'executive order' or decree, that name is tyrant! Other people who ruled by 'executive order' included Stalin, Hitler, Mao, Napoleon and many more. What does not go with that kind of rule is the statement in the US Constitution guaranteeing "a republican form of government."
What a PIG. The only thing out of control is his weight and his mouth.
Let me clarify your point about "Government being out of control" Fat Boy..
Elected Republican Politicians are the ones pout of control...
Glad to have cleared that up for you "Fat Boy"
Christie seriously needs to think about what is out of control. He leaves much to be desired.
Nothing in control with Christie.
OK so liberals are bigots when it comes to blacks, women, latinos and now fat people. So besides handouts, what exactly are liberals in favor of?
Hey, trudat...how can a group that preaches equality and fairness pretty much across the board be bigoted against blacks, women, latinos and fat people? Do you even review the verbal vomit that excretes itself out of your head before you say it? Or are you just that mean?
Shut up and have another hamburger WIMPY....
"El Gordo"....his eminence, the Governor of New Jersey.
The ONLY THING this guy knows is what direction the line forms for "Seconds" at the Buffet....
To Chris Christie no respect meant or intended..... it certainly looks like your eating is out of control. I wouldn't dare be alone in the room with this guy for two reasons. 1. Is that most republicans are closet gays, the worst kind. 2. He just might eat you.
Rule by executive order, bypass democracy.
Won't raise taxes on those who benefit most from infrastructure, The 1%, while making the rest pay the lion's share.
Gov. Christie.....
How much warning did you do about the national debt boogie man while Bush/Cheney were running it up and cooking the books?
Call me goofy, but should somebody who weighs in at about a thousand pounds be preaching to us about how somebody else is out of control?
Gov. Crusty Pants is a hypocrite. If, as he and other anarchist Republicans say, he believes Government is "the problem," then why are they spending so much money to be a part of "the problem"? Same old Republican way of thinking: "I'll shrink the company by getting rid of everyone else."
He was just in Wisconsin backing Walker, calling him a hero. New Jersey has lost jobs, cut teachers, firefighters and other "government" that is out of control. It is a crying shame all over the country. Republicans won in 2010 and now we are all the losers. They want to save money. Every one in any business knows you have so spend money to make money. "A penny saved is a penny earned" but what good are those saved pennies if you do not put them to work making more pennies. American workers are the best place to put those pennies earning more pennies in the form of wages. OH-TAX THE HELL OUT OF THE 1% OF THE 1%.
I say bring it on and make him VP candidate. Once he is outside the cushy comfort zone of state politics, he will be exposed as a loon and a phony, and bring down Romney faster than Palin took down McCain.
I think fatso's eating is out of control, so let's seem his starve his own fat ass first.....then try cutting welfare to kids....oh yeah slash taxes for his rich friends!
Obama/Biden 2012 "We Got It Straight In 2008!!"
Let me bottom line for folks - I'm from Jerz and with Christie as "Gubnor", I'm generally too embarrassed to admit that any more.
My brother makes almost a mil a yr. He's in Finance. He's doin' GREAT! Lots of subsidies, his kid's school has all the latest, his house is worth a mint.
My other friend is in International Trade. He's doin' GREAT! Just added a huge addition to his house, has his 3 kids' education all paid for, paying min. taxes.
My other friend has worked for the state insurance industry for 35 yrs. Just found out her house of almost 20 yrs. is worth nearly nothing. Her husband has been an unemployed HVAC specialist, unemployed for 4 yrs since his lifetime employer went bankrupt after 22 yrs. in business. She now has to pay almost $4000 more a yr. for their insurance, her pension has been trashed, they were going to move to PA just over the border because it would be cheaper, but NEW state rules on employees living IN the state have kiboshed that! Behind on their medical bills, can't go on vacation AGAIN, she's a bit disenchanted.
My best friend had a nervous breakdown and hasn't had a day in reality for almost 25 yrs. The state has made her into a Clonopine addict for the past 17 yrs. They don't check on her. They pay her rent in a broken down hovel, but all her food comes from donations, food banks and church hand-outs. She freezes every winter and suffers through every summer with a broken down fan. She sees a doctor for her problems now only 2X per year. She is only border-line able to live on her own.
I'd call the state to see what they would do for her addiction, but I know for a fact that they would cancel her pills and let her go cold-turkey with NO support.
Rather have her alive and addicted than dead I guess.
Maybe NJ would like Jon Corzine back?
One question for Chris Christie:
How many jobs did he create in NJ?
That's what I thought.